48 C O N T E X T 1 7 2 : J U N E 2 0 2 2 For all its value as a framework, our cycle is a conceptual model necessarily based on abstractions. In practice, we also adopt more familiar, largely self-descriptive terms, as represented by the table mapping the four areas of competence to the IHBC’s more accessible eight ‘competences’. Similarly, when evaluating an individual’s level of skills, our assessments use equally familiar terms – from ‘unaware’ to ‘expert’ – in line with wider practice in skills assessment. In this way the IHBC’s own model of the Conservation Cycle as representing a unique ‘interdisciplinary discipline’ is firmly tied to more familiar disciplines and regulatory operations. The recent revisions to the arrangements for the IHBC’s Affiliate category of membership show how our old model can successfully adapt to and operate in new situations.The re-cast of the Affiliate category first offered members in that former category the chance to progress from a historic but ‘unassessed’ link to the IHBC, to a formally assessed membership level.Today, the IHBC’s Affiliate membership is based on an applicant’s demonstration of their basic ‘awareness’ of conservation across all the areas in the Conservation Cycle and its constituent competences. Here, the IHBC can use the cycle to specify a ‘baseline’ assessment of competence specifically and uniquely tied to interdisciplinary conservation practice across the whole conservation process. In this way, the IHBC’s new Affiliate category can serve as the first such ‘baseline’ interdisciplinary assessment in the built and historic conservation practice of our members, and the ideal steppingstone from early interests in conservation to formal accreditation and associated careers. That is a unique, and perhaps even revolutionary, starting point for future conservation professionals, not least as it offers a credible starting point for learning in conservation, one that is firmly tied to international standards (ICOMOS and more) and global models (World Bank). As such, it should be expected of anyone in formal or indeed informal conservation-related roles. If the Conservation Cycle seems largely intuitive overall, it gains not only clarity but credence when it can be so comprehensively tied to both external national and international models, and to our own membership accreditation.To advance, an IHBC affiliate simply works towards IHBC accreditation, where they need to demonstrate a higher level of abilities in the cycle’s areas of competence than the simple awareness of practice demanded of an affiliate. More details on the application and operation of the cycle for those seeking formal accreditation is available on our website and on our application forms. The Conservation Cycle, its four areas of competence and the eight underpinning competences do not solve all the challenges of comparing apples, pears and tomatoes.The table lists other challenges – and some solutions – in operating consistently across the disciplines and practice traditions across the IHBC’s membership. Seán O’Reilly, director@ihbc.org.uk CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS Numerous practical issues and structural legacies serve as barriers to the recognition and management of interdisciplinary conservation practice. Below are signposts to some of these and, in italics, our workarounds and even some solutions. Accreditation IHBC accreditation demands a distinctly different approach to the learning processes and standards adopted in traditional and singlediscipline practices and disciplines. The biggest challenge can be the need to help applicants unlearn what they have spent so long learning in the tight focus typically cultivated in a primary discipline. First, our MATE training sessions were developed specifically to help early career practitioners learn how to think across disciplines, and more mature practitioners to recalibrate their thinking in the mono-culture of a singlepractice tradition. Second, our application forms seem too long or complex to many.While they can and will be improved (it is an objective in our IHBC25 anniversary year), they must reach and guide applicants with hugely diverse legacies in and concepts of conservation.Third, a code of conduct sits at the heart of any regulation of professional practice. Ours is clearly generic, to address the diversity of practice legacies across members, while their operation focuses on conservation processes and outcomes. Awards The IHBC’s Annual Student Awards assess entries from the same breadth of historic disciplines as seen in our membership, so direct comparison is almost impossible. ‘Guest’ judges for the awards are specifically empowered to make a ‘personal’ choice on the winner, and not just try to identify the ‘best of all’. Consistency Consistency in practice specification across professions is notoriously difficult, where the same words can take on opposing meanings. IHBC’s Toolbox ‘notes’ prioritise content that fills the gaps between historic disciplines, or that addresses relevant guidance that fails to recognise interdisciplinary standards. Resources News for conservation practitioners can originate in a daunting array of sources. Our NewsBlog news service is underpinned by a wide-ranging search and sourcing strategy, which also informs all the publications and services listed on our website.
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